Blustery winds, cooler weather to continue across L.A. region

Clouds in the Antelope Valley are pushed by high winds as a storm system passed through Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Cooler weather and blustery northwest winds will continue through Tuesday night and early Wednesday before giving way to warmer weather by the weekend, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service said strong winds were possible in the Lancaster area near California highways 14 and 138. Motorists were urged to be prepared for hazardous sudden gusts of wind.

"Areas of blowing dust and sand could restrict visibility," the agency said in a statement.

On Tuesday, temperatures reached the low to upper 60s across much of the Los Angeles area. The Santa Monica Airport recorded a high of 62 degrees, and Van Nuys topped out at 69, according to the weather service.

Some areas, including Pasadena and Culver City, reached 70 degrees.

In the mountains, Big Bear was 41 and Lake Arrowhead hit 46. Mount Wilson reached 48 degrees. In the San Bernardino Mountains, traces of snow were reported at elevations above 5,500 feet, the weather service said. The agency said a few inches of snow could accumulate above 6,500 feet.

Normal temperatures for this time of year are in the mid-70s, forecasters say.

Wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded in several areas. A 59-mph gust was reported in the Malibu Hills.

The strong winds and lower temperatures were being caused by an upper-level low pressure system in the region.

A warming trend is expected to begin Thursday as the system moves east, according to the weather service.